Atomizer



p- 23,1 3947 s. n. SPENDER Erm. 2542?932 A ATOMIZER K Filed march 4, 1.941

INVENToRs .SIDNEY I. SPL-NDFR BY RENE L.. E. REU TER.

Patented Sept. 23, 1947 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE ATOMI'ZER Sidney I. Spender and Ren L. E. Reuter, Waterbury, Conn., assignors to Soovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application March 4, 1941, Serial No. 381,696

(Cl. ZilSl--SIDy bination may be constructed and assembled. A

further feature of the invention resides in the use oi a novel metal diaphragm which serves to increase the eiliciency and the life of the atomizer.

Another characteristic feature of the present invention resides in the novel manner of constructing and assembling the elements whereby the tube which conducts the liquid from the bottle or container yto the atomizing elements is removable so that it need not be applied to the atomizing head until the device is ready for application to a container. In this way, the atomizing heads and tubes may be shipped and stored separately and all danger of breakage of the assembled head and tube is eliminated.

The invention also embodies novel means whereby air may be admitted to the container to prevent the formation of a vacuum within the container when liquid is Withdrawn therefrom. The operation of the device is thus improved, because the opposing action of reduced pressure within the container upon the diaphragm controlling the flow of liquid from the container is eliminated..

Atomizer heads of the character to which this invention relates have heretofore been constructed with various types of diaphragms and valve means formed of oiled silk, rubber or other flexible malterials, but it is found in practice that such diaphragms and valve members tend to deteriorate in use and soon render the device inoperative or faulty in its action. It has not been possible to substitute metal diaphragms in the constructions of the prior art because the reduced exibility of the metal diaphragm interferes with the operation of such constructions. For this reason, it has been necessary to redesign the atomizing elements completely to ypermit the use of a metal diaphragm in such constructions.

Among the principal objects of the present invention are; to provide an improved atomizing head embodying a ilexible metal diaphragm for controlling the flow of liquid to the head; to provide an atomizing head which is simple in construction and of a durable character; to reduce the cost vand time required for construction and assembling the elements of atomizing heads; to provide novel means for securing a supply tube to an atomizing head for conducting liquid from a container to the atomizing elements, and to provide an atomizer head which will function properly for long periods of time. y

These and other objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is made to the figures of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a typical atomizer head embodying the present invention;

Fig.. 2 is a top plan View of that form of atomizer head illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the various elements of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 with the parts arranged for assembly.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the combination gasket and neck means, per se, as it appears before assembly; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through an alternative embodiment of our invention illustrating novel means for attaching the supply tube to the atomizer head.

In that form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the atomizer head is formed with a retaining member 2 having a lower attaching portion 4 of suitable form for securing the head to a container such as the bottle 6. The upper wall portion 8 of the retaining member is connected to the attaching portion 4 thereof by a shoulder I0, against which bears the marginal portion of a gasket i2. The gasket l2 is formed of rubber or other suitable material for sealing the space between the retaining member and the neck of the container. The lower face of the gasket is formed with a centrally located, downwardly extending neck I4 having an opening IG therethrough for receiving and frictionally holding a supply tube i8 formed of glass. metal or the like. The supply tube projects downward from the gasket into the container 6 for conducting liquid from the container to the atomizing ele` ments located above the gasket.

The atomizing elementsof the head are surrounded by the wall portion 8 of the retaining member 2. The elements preferred and illustrated in the drawing include a cup 20 which is formed with a base 22 having a central opening 24 therein which communicates with the opening I6 in the neck of the gasket. In order to retain the central part of the gasket I2 against the underside of the cup base 22, that portion of the cup about the opening 24 is drifted downwardly as shown at 25 so as to project a substantial distance into the 3 opening I6 of the neck. 'I'he lower extremity is flared outwardly at 26' and is adapted to be embedded in the rubber material of the neck as a form of anchorage. As best shown in Fig. 4 the upper end of the gasket opening I8 is restricted by an inwardly formed portion I3 of the gasket I2 that serves to embrace the outer surface of the drifted portion 25 above the flared portion 26' that much more securely than if the hole I8 was symmetrical throughout.

'I'he side wall v26 of the cup is formed with an atomizing aperture -28 which is located in alignment with a discharge port 30 in the wail portion 8 of the retaining member 2. The lower face of the cup 20 is formed with a vent groove 32 therein which extends inward from the marginal portion of the cup and communicates with an annular groove 34 in the upper face of the gasket I2. The gasket, in turn, is formed with a small opening 36 which passes from the annular groove 34 to the lower face of the gasket. V1u this way a vent opening is provided which extends from the interior of the container through the opening 36 and annular groove 34 to the groove 32 in the lower face of the cup and thence to the discharge port .38 in the wall portion of the retaining member.

In order to prevent the relatively soft rubber gasket I2 from being pressed into the groove 32 in the cup,.so as to close the vent when the head is attached to the container, it is preferable to insert a thin annular metal. washer 38 between the gasket I2 and the cup 2D as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Within the cup 20 is located a thin exible diaphragm 48 formed of metal and confined at its edges between the base oi' the cup and an upper supporting disc 42. As shown to an exaggerated extent in Fig. i, the base 22 of the cup 20 is bowed downward or the parts are otherwise formed to provide a space 44 between the upper surface of the base of the cup 26 and the lower surface of the supporting disc 42. This space 44 serves as a liquid receiving chamber to which liquid is supplied .from the container through the opening 24 in the base of the cup and also as a breathing space for the diaphragm 40.

The central portion 46 of the metal diaphragm .4Il is freely movable toward and away from the opening 24 in the cup, and when depressed the diaphragm serves to close and seal the opening.

The diaphragm is formed with openings 48 which are spaced from the central sealing portion thereof so that when depressed liquid may pass readily from the lower to the upper surface of the diaphragm and will not be forced back into the container but will remain in the chamber 44.

The upper surface of the base of the cup is formed with an arcuate groove 58 which extends from a point near the center of the cup (but spaced from the opening 24) to the side wall 26 of the cup along this wall to the atomizing aperture 28. The lower face of the supporting disc 42 is also formed with an arcuate groove 52 which extends from an opening 64 near the center of thedisc to the edge of the disc at a point adjacent the atomizing aperture 28. 'I'hese grooves serve to conduct liquid and air from both sides of the diaphragm 48 to the atomizing aperture so that liquid may pass thereto from the liquid receiving chamber 44.

Above the supporting disc 42 is located a compressible member, such as the rubber bulb 6l.

4 which communicates with the liquid receiving chamber 44 through an opening -64 inthe supporting disc 42 in registry with the inner end of disc groove 52. disc 42 is formed with an air groove 68 which extends from the air space 68 in the bulb to the atomizing aperture 2-8 in the cup 20. Thus, the construction provides both an air channel and liquid channels which extendto the atomlzing aperture for mixing air and liquid and electing the samel through the atomizing aperture 28 and the discharge port '86 in the head.

'I'he marginal portion of the bulb 68 is formed with a bead 82 which is engaged by the inturned upper edge 64 of the wall portion 8 of the retaining member. In this way the atomizing elements are clamped together within the upper wall portion of the head, and the head may be shipped or handled as a unit without danger of displacing the elements or loss thereof. Similarly the liquid supply tube I8 may be shipped separately from the head and inserted into the downwardly extending neck I4 on the gasket at the time of applying the head to the container.

In order to aid in the assembly of the atomizing elements and to avoid relative movement thereof after they are assembled the wall portion 8 of the retaining member 2 is formed with an inwardly extending projection or rib 66 and the gasket I2 is formed with a complementary recess 68, while the cup 20 is formed with an indexing recess I6 which insures registry of the atomizing aperture 28 in the cup with the discharge port 38m the retaining member. Similarly the flexible metal diaphragm 48 is formed with a notch 'I2 and the supporting disc 42 is provided with a recess I4 so that the grooves l52 and ylill in the disc will be accurately positioned to terminate adjacent the atomizing aperture 28.

The operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is as follows:

The bottle or container to which the head is applied is grasped in one hand and the thumb or one finger is used to depress the bulb 66. Upon the rst depression of the bulb air is forced from the air space *58 through the air discharge groove 60 to the atomizing aperture 28 in the cup and the discharge port 30 in the retaining member. At the same time air is forced through the opening 164 in the supporting disc 42 and is projected against the iiexible metal diaphragm 40 so that the central portion 46 of the diaphragm is forced downward into engagement with the base 22 of the cup .20 and serves to seal the opening 24 therein. The air thus forced into the liquid receiving chamber 44 passes out through the groove Y 62 in the lower surface of the supporting disc 42 to the atomizing aperture and discharge port.

When the bulb 56 is released it expands due to the inherent elasticity, drawing air inward through the atomizing aperture 28 and groove 68. Air is also drawn into the air space within the bulb from the liquid chamber 44 through the The bulb is formed with an air space 58 therein 75 above the diaphragm and it may even pass The upper surface of the through the opening 54 into the bulb air space itself.

Thereafter, upon again depressing the bulb 56, the air from the air space, and any liquid that may have passed through the opening 54, are forced through the groove 60 to the atomizing aperture and are projected from the discharge port 30 in the wall portion of the head. The air which is forced from. the air space through the opening 54 in the disc is projected against the diaphragm 40 and thereby depresses the central portion 46 thereof into sealing engagement with the opening 24 in the base of the cup 28. As the diaphragm 40 is depressed, atleast a part of the liquid in the chamber 44 flows upward through the openings 48 in the diaphragm, and both air and liquid are projected through the groove 52 in the lower face of the supporting disc to the atomizing aperture and discharge port. Since all of the lower surface of the diaphragm 4U does not engage the upper face of the cup 28, additional liquid is forced from the space between the diaphragm and the base of the cup through the groove 50 to the atomizing aperture and discharge port. Some air may also pass through the openings 48 in the diaphragm to the space beneath the diaphragm and thence through groove 50 to the atomizing aperture 2B.

In this way air and liquid are forced to the atomizing aperture 28 and discharge port 38 and are co-mingled so as to be projected from the head in the form of a ne mist. Moreover, the construction and operation of 4the elements are such that deterioration and clogging of the various grooves and openings cannot take place and the device operates consistently and effectively for long periods of time.

It has been determined from actual practice that the quality of atomization can be changed by omitting the openings 48 in the diaphragm 40. By omitting the openings 48 it has been discovered upon operating the device that the quality of atomization is improved but the amount of liquid dispensed is decreased. In other words, in a dispenser having a diaphragm with openings the quality of atomization is lessened but the quantity is increased, and in the case of a diaphragm without openings, the quality is increased but the quantity is decreased.

In that form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 an alternative construction for connecting the supply tube to the atomizing elements is shown wherein the gasket and tube retaining neck is made in two separate pieces. In this construction the gasket 16, which seals the space between the retaining member 18 and the bottle 88, is in the form of an annular washer. The lower face of the cup 82 is formed with a depending short neck 84 which projects downward and is ared outward at its lower endI at 85 about the opening 86 as in the first form. The connector 88 is preferably made of rubber and is generally cylindrical in form with a central passage 92 and is adapted to be slipped over the end of the neck 84 and retained thereupon by reason of the ilared end 85 being embedded into the rubber material of the connector 88. Just prior to the assembly of the device to the container the supply tube 94 may be telescoped into the central passage 92 of the connector 88 and frictionally held in position.

Either of the forms of the invention illustrated may be secured to a container such as the bottle of Fig. 1 by suitable cooperating elements thereon. As shown the head is secured to the neck of the bottle 6 by spinning or otherwise inwardly turning the lower extremity $6 of the attaching portion 4 of the retaining member so that it extends beneath the collar 98 on the top of the neck or the bottle.

Although certain preferred forms of the invention have been shown in the drawing and described above, it will be evident that the invention is capable of numerous changes and modications in the form, arrangement and construction of the various elements thereof, It should therefore -be understood that the present invention contemplates the use of such alternatives and equivalents and that s uch constructions are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, upper and lower members located within said head and presenting substantially parallel surfaces spacedA apart to form a liquid receiving chamber, the lower member lhaving an opening formed therein, a tube leading to said opening for supplying liquid to said chamber, a compressible member located above the upper member and formed with an air space therein, a flexible diaphragm conned at its edges between said members and having its central portion free- 1y movable into position to seal the opening in said lower member, said diaphragm having openings therein through which liquid may pass to the space between the diaphragm and upper member, said upper member having an opening therein communicating with the air space in said compressible member and positioned to direct air from said space against the diaphragm to actuate the same, and means extending about the edges of said members and diaphragm and formed with an atomizing aperture therein, said members being formed with grooves therein extending from the air space in the compressible member and from the liquid receiving chamber to vsaid aperture for conducting liquid from the liquid receiving chamber and air from said air space to said atomizing aperture.

2. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, a lower cupped member and an upperdisc member fitted therein, said members having portions thereof spaced apart to form a liquid receiving chamber, the cup member having an opening formed therein and a tube leading to said opening for supplying liquid to said chamber, a compressible member located above the upper disc member and formed with an air space therein, a` flexible diaphragm conned at its edges between said members and having its central portion freely movable into position to seal the opening in said lower member, said dlaphragm having openings therein through which liquid may pass to the space betweenthe diaphragm and upper disc member, said upper disc member having an opening therein communicating with the air space in said compressible member and positioned to direct air from said space against the diaphragm to actuate the same, the wall of said cupped member being formed with an atomizing aperture therein adjacent the edge of the upper disc, said upper disc being formed with grooves on the upper and lower faces thereof for conducting air from said air space and liquid from said chamber to said atomizing aperture.

3. An atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member having a lower attaching portion for securing the head to a container and an upper wall portion provided with a discharge port therein and connected to the attaching portion by a shoulder, a cup bearing against said shoulder and formed with an opening in the base thereof and with an atomizing aperture in the side wall of the cup in alignment with the discharge port in the wall portion of the retaining member, a flexible diaphragm located withinthe cup and extending over the opening in the base thereof, a supporting disc overlying the diaphragm, and a compressible device having an air space therein and extending over the supporting disc and held in place by thewall portion of said retaining member. said diaphragm having openings therein spaced from the opening in the base of said cup to permit liquid from said cup to pass through the diaphragm, and said support disc having an opening therein for directing air from said compressible device against said flexible diaphragm to move the diaphragm into sealing engagement with the opening in the base of the cup when said compressible device is compressed, said cup and supporting disc being formed with channels for conducting air and liquid from said liquid receiving chamber and from the air space in said compressible device to said atomizing aperture.

4. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a cup formed with an opening in the base thereof and having an atomizing aperture inthe side wallof the cup, a member located within the cup and spaced from the base thereof to form a liquid receiving chamber, a flexible metal diaphragm located between said member and cup and extending over the opening in the base of the cup, said diaphragm being Y confined at its edges between the cup and member and having the central portion thereof freely movable into and out of position to seal the open- 8 f and said gasket to'prevent the latter being forcedinto the groove of said element.

7. An atomizer headadapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member formed with a lower attaching portion for secur- Y thereto, and a, tube extending into the neck on ing in the base of the cup. said cup and member having grooves therein forming liquid channels for conducting liquid from the liquid receiving chamber to the atomizlng aperture in the wall of the cup, and a compressible rubber bulb located above said member and formed with an air space therein, said member being formed with a groove on its upper surface forming an air channel for conducting air from the air space in the bulb to the atomizing. aperture in the wall of the cup and also formed with an opening for directing air from said air space against the diaphragm in said liquid receiving chamber to depress said diaphragm and seal the opening in the cup when the bulb is depressed.

5. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member formed with a lower attaching portion for securing the head to a container and an upper wall portion connected to the attaching portion by a shoulder and formed with a discharge port therein, a gasket bearing against said shoulder and positioned to seal the space between the retaining member and the container, said gasket being formed with a groove in its upper face and having an opening therethrough communicating with said groove, and an atomizing element located within the wall portion of the retaining member and bearing against the gasket, said element being formed with a groove in the lower surface thereof communicating with the groove in the gasket and the discharge port in the wall portion of the retaining member to admit air to the container.

6. A claim based on claim 5 wherein a reinforcing member is disposed between said element said gasket and projecting downward therefrom ,to conduct liquid from the container to the atomizing elements in said head.

8. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member formed with a lower attaching portion for securing the head to a container and an upper wall portion connected to the attaching portion by a shoulder, a gasket bearing against said shoulder and formed with' a centrally located depending neck having an opening therethrough, atomizing elements bearing against the upper surface of said gasket to urge the gasket against said shoulder and held in place by the wall portion of said retaining member, one of said elements being provided with a centrally located depending tubular collar for telescopic engagement in the opening in the neck of said gasket to support the center of said gasket and said neck, and a tube extending into the opening in said neck and projecting downward therefrom to conduct liquid from the container to said atomizing elements in said head.

9. A claim based on claim 8 wherein th`e lower end of said tubular collar is flared outwardly for purposes of being embedded into the interior wall of said gasket neck and the upper end 0f said gasket neck surrounding said opening is restricted by the gasket material for ilrmly embracing said tubular collar. Y

10, In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, retaining meansA adapted to secure the head to a container, and formed with a discharge port therein, upper and lower members located within said retaining means and having portions thereof spaced apart to form a liquid receiving chamber, the lower member having an opening formed therein, a tube secured to said lower member and leading to said opening for supplying liquid to said chamber, a compressible member located above th'e upper member and formed with an air space therein, a ilexible diaphragm coniined at its edges between said upper and lower members and having its central portion freely movable into position to seal the opening in said lower member, said diaphragm having openings therein through which liquid may pass to the space between the diaphragm and upper member, said upper member having an opening therein communicating with th'e air space in said compressible member and positioned to direct air from said space against the diaphragm to move the diaphragm into position to seal said opening, and means forming channels extending from said chamber to the discharge port in the retaining means to cause liquid to be discharged through said port when said compressible member is compressed.

- 9 1l. In an atomizing head adapted to be applied to containers, a compressible bulb, two spaced members each formed with an opening therein, the opening-in one member communicating with the container and the opening in the other communicating with said compressible bulb, a valve.' member located between said members and alternatively movable to close the opening in each member, and a retainer extending about the edges of said spaced members and formed with an aperture therein, said members dening two channels one of which communicates with thev space between said members and terminates adjacent the aperture in the retaining member and the other of which extends directly from said bulb to a point adjacent said aperture.

12. An atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container comprising retaining means for securing said head to a container and formed with an aperture therein, a member held in place within said head by said retaining means and having an opening therein communicating with' liquid in the container, a second member alsol held in place by said retaining means, said second member having 'the edge thereof located adjacent said aperture and having a surface extending substantially parallel to and spaced from the first member to provide a liquid receiving chamber, a valve located in said chamber and normally tending to close said opening to retain liquid within said chamber, a compressible device extending over the upper surface of said second member and having an air chamber therein, said second member having a groove in the upper surface thereof forming a channel extending directly from said air space to said aperture, and means defining a channel extending from said chamber to a point adjacent said aperture to cause liquid to be projected through said aperture by air from said compressible device.

13. An atomizing head comprising a hemispherical compressible bulb, a member substantially closing said bulb and having an opening therethrough communicating with the space within said bulb, a second member having at least a portion thereof spaced from the ilrst member and provided with an opening therethrough communicating with a source of liquid to be atomized, a valve member located between said members and movable in opposite directions under the action of air passing into and out of the bulb to close the opening in said members, means extending about said members and having an atomizing aperture therein, means forming a passage located on one side of the rst mentioned member and extending from the interior of the bulb to said atomizing aperture and means located on the opposite side of the first mentioned member forming a passage extending from the space between said members to a point adjacent said aperture to conduct air and liquid to said atomizing aperture when the bulb is depressed.

14. In an atomizer head adaptedto be applied to a container, a cup having an atomizing aperture in the wall thereof, means for conducting liquid from the container to which the head is applied to the cup, a hemispherical bulb having its edges located within the cup, and a disc located between the bulb and the bottom of the cup with the upper surface of the disc substantially closing the bulb and the lower surface of the disc cooperating with the cup to form a liquid receiving chamber between the cup and disc, said disc having the outer edges thereof located adjacent the atomizing aperture in the cup and grooves in the upper and lower surfaces thereof terminating adjacent the aperture in the cup for conducting air and liquid to the aperture.

l5. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, a cup having an atomizing aperture in the wall thereof, means for conducting liquid from the container to the cup, a hemispherical bulb having its edges located within the cup, a disc located between the bulb and the bottom of the cup with the upper surface of the disc substantially closing the bulb\and the lower surface of the disc cooperating with the cup to form a liquid receiving chamber between the cup and disc, said disc having an opening therein providing communication between the bulb and liquid receiving chamber and a valve member located in said chamber beneath said opening and operable by the action of air passing into and out of the bulb to control the flow of liquid through said means, said disc having the outer edge thereof located adjacent the atomizing aperture in thecup and grooves in the upper and lower surfaces thereof terminating adjacent the aperture in the cup for conducting air and liquid to the aperture.

16. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, retaining means engageable with the container and formed with an atomizing opening therein, a compressible device held in place by said retaining means and having an air space therein, means within said head having a portion thereof located adjacent the atomizing opening and defining a liquid receiving chamber and located beneath the air space in said compressible device, and means separating the air space in said compressible device from said chamber and provided with channels in the opposite faces thereof cooperating with said compressible device and the means defining a liquid receiving chamber to form passages extending directly from the compressible device and from the liquid receiving chamber to a point adjacent said atomizing opening for conducting air and liquid to said opening.v

17. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, retaining means engageable with the container and having an atomizing opening therein, a compressible device held in place by said retaining means and having an air space therein, means within said head having a portion thereof located adjacent the atomizing opening and defining a liquid receiving chamber and located beneath the air space in said compressible device, and a disc located between the air space in said compressible device and said liquid receiving chamber and formed on opposite faces thereof with grooves cooperating with said compressible device and the means'dening a liquid receiving chamber to form passages for conducting air from said air space and liquid from said xhamber to a point adjacentsaid atomizing open- 18. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container comprising a compressible bulb, two

members having portions thereof spaced apart to form a liquid receiving'chamber therebetween, said members each having an opening therein, one of which communicates with the container to which said head is applied and the other ,of which communicates with said compressible bulb, a valve element located in the liquid receiving chamber and between the openings in said members and movable in response to the flow of air into and out of the said bulb to close the opening lcommunicating with the bulb when the bulb expands and to close the opening communicating with the container when the bulb is depressed. means defining a passage independent of said openings and extending from said bulb to the chamber to draw liquid into the chamber when said bulb expands and while said opening communicating with the bulb is closed by said valve member, and means having an atomizing aperture therein communicating with said passage for the discharge of air and liquid from the atomizing head when the bulb is depressed.

19. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container comprising a compressible bulb,- two members having surfaces thereof spaced apart to form a liquid receiving chamber, one of said members having an opening therein communicating with the container to which the head is applied to admit liquid tosaid chamber, the

other of said members having an opening therein communicating with said compressible bulb to admit air to said chamber, a valve member located in said 'chamber between said openings and movable in response to the flow of airlthrough eating with the container, and means having an atomizing aperturetherein communicating with said chamber and with said bulb for the discharge of air and liquid from the chamber when the bulb is compressed and to permit the. passage c' air to the bulb when the bulb expands.

20. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container comprising a compressible bulb, two members having surfaces thereof spaced apart to form a liquid receiving chamber, one of said members having an opening therein communicating with the container to which the head is applied to admit liquid to said chamber, the other of said members having an opening therein communicating with said compressible bulb to 'admit air to said chamber, a valve member located in said chamber between said openings vand movable in response to the flow of air through the opening communicating with said bulb to close the latter opening when the bulb expands and to close the opening communicating with said container when the bulb is compressed, said valve member being formed to permit the iiow of liquid within said chamber past the valve member to the upper portion of the chamber on movement .of the valve member to close the opening communicating with the container, means having an atomizing aperture therein, and means forming channels extending from said bulb and from said chamber to said aperture to discharge air and liquid from the atomizing head when the bulb is compressed, said channels communicating with each other to cause liquid to be drawn into said chamber when the bulb expands and while said valve member is in position to close the opening leading from said chamber to the bulb.

21. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member formed with a lower attaching portion for securing the head to a container and an upper wall portion connected to the attaching portion by a bearing against the upper surface of said gasket to hold said gasket in engagement with said shoulder, the lowermost member of said atomizing elements being formed with an opening there in and provided with an integral neck' extending downward about said opening, and a .tube attached to said neck and extending downward therefrom to conduct liquid from the container to said atomizing elements in said head.

22. An atomizer head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising a retaining member formed with a lower attaching portion for secur ing the head to a container and an upper wall portion connected thereto, a gasket for sealing the space between said head and the container, said gasket bearing against the container mouth and formed with a downwardly extending tubular neck, atomizing elements held in place by the wall portion of the retaining member and bear.- ing against the upper surface of said gasket to hold said gasket in engagement with said mouth. the lowermost member of said elements being provided with a means extending into said neck for engagement therewith, and a tube extending into the neck on said gasket and projecting downward therefrom to conduct liquid from the container to the atomizing elements in said head.

23. An atomiz'er having in combination a pair of members having opposed bases spaced apart, a ii'exible diaphragm transversely partitioning the space between said bases and cooperatively related to each of said bases, said bases and diaphragm being in peripheral contact, one of said bases having a fluid opening therethrough adapted to be placed in communication with a supply ai fluid to be atomized and also having a fluid groove opposing said diaphragm, a nozzle in communication with said groove at a. predetermined p'oint at the edge of said diaphragm, the other of said bases having an air aperture therein and an air groove in the surface thereof opposing said diaphragm, said air groove communicating with said nomle at said point but on the opposite side of said diaphragm, and means for subjecting said air aperture and groove to positive and negative air pressure.

24. In an atomizing device, a self-containedunit for breaking up and discharging fluid material in a finely divided stream, said unit having in combination a pair of substantially fiat memshoulder, a gasket bearing against said shoulder for. sealing the space between said head and the bers peripherally secured together and having a space between the central portion of the opposed faces thereof, and impervious diaphragm separating said members and traversing said space. said diaphragm being flexible transversely for movement toward one or the other of the opposing surfaces of said members, means defining air passages on one side of said diaphragm,

'means defining uid passages on the opposite side of said diaphragm, means for delivering air and uid to said passages, respectively, said air and fluid passages leading to adjacent points located on opposite sides of said diaphragm, and a nozzle common to both of said psages for receiving a simultaneous discharge therefrom.

25. An atomizing device comprising a member forming one side of a chamber having substantially sealed access to a supply of liquid, a movable member forming the opposite side of said chamber, a bulb forming with said movable member a chamber adapted to have air therein, and an atomizing orifice communicating with both of said chambers, said bulb being movable from its normal position to compress the air in said secitaa'zgasaY ond named chamber above atmospheric pressure and to cause a jet of air to pass through said orifice, said vbulb thereafter returning to its normal position and decreasing the air pressure in said second named chamber below atmospheric pressure whereupon air passes in reverse direction through said orice, the decreased air pressure in said second chamber causing movement of said movable member to enlarge said first named chamber with resultant drawing of liquid thereinto by action of suction.

26. An atomizing device comprising a member forming one side of a chamber having substantially sealed access to a supply of liquid, a movable member forming the opposite side of said chamber, a bulb forming with said movable member a chamber adapted to have air therein, and an atomizing orice communicating with both of said chambers, said bulb being movable from its normal position to compress the air in said second named chamber above atmospheric pressure and to cause a jet of air to pass through said oriiice, said bulb thereafter returning to its normal position and decreasing the air pressure in said second named chamber below atmospheric pressure whereupon air passes in a reverse direction through said orice, the decreased air pressure in said second chamber causing movement of said movable member to enlarge said first named chamber with resultant drawing of liquid thereinto by action of suction, the liquid thus drawn into said first named chamber being atomized by subsequent passage of a iet of air through said orifice.

27. An atomizing device comprising a member forming one side of a liquid receiving chamber having substantially sealed access to a supply of liquid, a movable member forming the opposite side of said liquid receiving chamber, a compressible bulb having an air chamber therein formed with an open side communicating with one face of the movable member to urge the movable member toward and away from the first men.- tioned member in response to changes in the pressure oi' air in said air chamber, and an atomizing orifice communicating with both of said chambers, said bulb being movable from its normal position to compress the air in the air chamber above atmospheric pressure and to cause a Jet of air to pass through said orice, said bulb thereafter returning to its normal position and decreasing the air pressure in the air chamber whereupon air passes in' the reverse direction through said orifice, the decreased air pressure in the air chamber causing movement of said movable member to enlarge the liquid receiving chamber with resultant drawing of liquid thereinto by action of suction.

28. In an atomizing device, a self contained unit for breaking up and discharging uid material in a finely divided stream, said unit having in combination a. substantially iiat member and a substantially flat diaphragm peripherally secured together and having a space between the central' portion of the opposed faces thereof, said REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kross Nov. 26, 1940 Perritt Nov. 2, 1937 Alexander May 18, 1869 Rosenwald et al. Aug. 29, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Dec. 19, 1929 France Mar. 15, 1937 Number Number 

